Another Eucalyptus Lerp Psyllid Attacks!

Most managers have heard about the redgum lerp psyllid and the destruction they caused to our eucalyptus trees over the last few years. This insect has killed many a tree and entire forests.

These dead trees are a huge liability. Who knows when they will fall? What about the fire hazard they have created? Remember all the leaf drop and sticky mess beneath these trees? How about all the rain gutters clogged with leaf debris?

Well, the good news is that they have released the parasitic wasps that prey on the redgum lerp psyllid. The release has been a success in a few areas. Trees in Scripps Ranch and areas of Poway are looking better. Other areas such as Rancho Santa Fe haven’t been quite as successful. This year may show more improvement.

We must not forget the damage this pest has done to our trees. We were told not to treat the trees, that a natural enemy of this pest will be found. The trees will tolerate a few defoliations. Well, the trees defoliated 2 or 3 times in a year for 2-3 years thus draining the trees reserves and they succumbed, due to no food -- no leaves (no food produced). The lesson learned should be — there are treatments available to deal with this pest. Our firm has been very successful with treatment programs, successfully treating over 500 trees!

Unfortunately we now have two new eucalyptus lerp psyllids. One is the spotted gum psyllid (a lerp psyllid) and the other is a brown, free living psyllid. They are attacking the lemon scented Eucalyptus. We have a lot of lemon scented eucalyptus here in San Diego County; tall, majestic trees. Let’s not loose these specimens.

ACT NOW and have them treated! Call Tom Paulson, our Certified Arborist for a quote on treating your trees. This treatment is an injection method applied right into the trees’ bark. No spraying, no drift, no client calls to worry about. Simple, clean, effective and a very cost efficient method to save your trees. Call now, before these trees begin their defoliating process too!

On a lighter closing note. People may have read my last column, A Tribute To All. I mentioned we should incorporate red, white and blue in our color flower displays. I have seen a few that look really good around town and its great to see! Now let’s do what is right and save our trees…

Randy Newhard is President of New Way Landscape & Tree Services, a full-service landscape maintenance and arboricultural contractor serving shopping centers, commercial, industrial and Homeowners Associations in all areas of San Diego County for 21 years. (858) 505-8300 • www.newwaypro.com

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Did you know...?

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